Easy
A short story written in five minutes, inspired by the word "Easy"
“I don’t want you to go away!” she sobbed.
Her father pressed his lips. How could he explain what was about to happen to his
daughter?
“Pumpkin, it’s not different from the past.”
“But daddy, why do you do it?”
“You mean, leaving? Traveling?”
The little girl nodded.
Starr looked at his wife, standing behind. She was holding back the tears. Then, he turned back to the freckly little face of his beautiful daughter.
“You see, my sweet Angela, I want to teach you something: the more precious something is, the farther you need to travel to get it. We would love to do only the things that are easy. But if we stuck to that, we would never achieve great things. And I want to do great things, just like you will. Do you understand why I have to leave now?”
Angela wasn’t entirely convinced, but forced herself to nod vigorously. Such a strong girl, Starr thought. He hugged her. Then, he stood up, kissed his wife, and left. A car was waiting for him.
He would achieve great things. For himself and for Angela.
That morning, Ship Officer Philip Starr embarked on a long journey by sea. He would have been ashore for many months.
As he was getting on the ship, he read its evocative name.
Titanic.